How to Do Cute Middle School Hairstyles

Co-authored by Michael Van den Abbeel

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 References

Middle school is the ideal time to experiment with your style. You might not have the budget for new clothes or accessories, but trying out new hairstyles can be a great way to change up your look. You can look cute and fashionable with just a few extra minutes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Pulling Back Your Hair Into Cute Styles

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1
Rock a ponytail . Though it’s a classic style, there are plenty of ways to freshen up a ponytail and make it look older for middle school.
- Wear a high ponytail. This looks especially great if you have medium-length hair. After you put your ponytail in place and secure it with elastic, pull on the top and bottom of the ponytail right beside the band. This will add volume to your hair. This look is also great for athletes and cheerleaders because it looks cute but keeps your hair out of your way.
- Wear a low side ponytail. If you want to add an extra touch to your side pony, form a part in your hair just above the hairband that’s holding your ponytail. Take the end of your ponytail, and thread it through the hole you made. This will create a kind of twist above your hairband.
- For a fancier ponytail, wrap a strand of your hair around your hairband to cover it. Tuck it back into the hairband, or secure it with a bobby pin, if you need to.
- Let your hair draw attention to your face. If you have bangs or layers, let some of your hair hang loose around your face to soften your look. If you don’t have bangs, try wearing a cute headband or headscarf with your ponytail.
2
Wear a bun. Like the ponytail, a bun is a great go-to hairstyle that you can dress up or down for school or special occasions. Buns are easier to make if you haven’t washed your hair for a day or two. If you just washed your hair, however, work in some texturizing hairspray for more hold.
- A ballet bun creates a sleek, pulled together look. To create a ballet-style bun, first put your hair in a tight ponytail. Use a brush or a comb to make your hair lay flat and smooth. Grab the end of your ponytail and begin to twist it into a tight rope. Then, twist your rope of hair around the elastic of your ponytail. Starting with the base of your ponytail, begin to bobby pin your hair rope as you twist is around your hairband. Make sure to bobby pin the end of your ponytail, as well. When you are done, spray your bun with hairspray. ^{[1]
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  Research source} If you want, you can add a scrunchy around your bun to make it more fun.
- Ballet buns are great for events like formal dances or for a performance, if you are in an organization like choir or band.
- A messy bun is a popular go-to hairstyle on lazier days. To get the look, just pull all your hair into a high ponytail. Don’t worry about making sure your hair is smooth. Then, twist your hair into a rope and circle it around the base of your ponytail. Secure it with another elastic. Pull at the bun so that it’s loose and some pieces stick out. Use a few bobby pins to hide the elastic and secure your bun in place. Pull out some strands of hair to frame your face.
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3
Wear a simple French braid . Once you get the hang of it, a French braid is a quick style that looks sophisticated and cool. Before you begin to braid your hair, make sure you comb it well and get out any tangles. Keep a hairband on your wrist.
- With your thumb and forefinger, create an approximately two-inch section of your hair on the very top of your head. Divide this into three sections and hold them between your fingers.
- Begin braiding like a simple braid . Start by crossing the right strand on top of the middle strand so that it becomes the middle. Then, cross the left strand over the new middle.
- After you complete this once, add another small section of hair to the right strand. Use your left hand to hold the braid and your right to add the new hair. Now cross it over the middle like before.
- Before you cross the left strand over, add in a new piece of hair from the left side of your hand. Move the braid to your right hand, and add the new hair with your left index finger.
- Continue this process until you reach the nape of your neck. Then, you can finish just like a normal braid, and secure it with a hairband. ^{[2]
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- After you’ve finished your braid, try pulling at it a bit to loosen it up. This will keep it casual and pretty.
- French braids a great alternative to simple braids that will make you look older than an elementary school kid. They are also good for athletes who want to wear a style other than a ponytail.
4
Create a bold Dutch braid . A Dutch braid is an inverted French braid and has a bolder, more three-dimensional look.
- Section off two inches of hair on the top of your head. Divide this into three sections and hold them between your fingers.
- Begin braiding like a simple three-strand braid. Start by crossing the right strand underneath the middle strand so that it becomes the middle. Then, cross the left strand under the new middle.
- After you complete this once, add another small section of hair to the right strand. Use your left hand to hold the braid and your right to add the new hair. Now cross it under the middle like before.
- Before you cross the left strand under, add in a new piece of hair from the left side of your hand. Move the braid to your right hand, and add the new hair with your left index finger.
- Continue this process until you reach the nape of your neck. Then, you can finish just like a normal braid, and secure it with a hairband.
- A Dutch braid is exactly like a French braid, except you cross all the strands of hair under each other, rather than over.
- Braids are great hairstyles because they’ll stay in place and look great all day through school and any of your extracurricular activities. You can even sleep in your braid and wear it two days in a row.
5
Pull half your hair into a ponytail. For this look, section off the top part of your hair above your ears, and secure it in a ponytail. Leave the bottom layer down and flowy.
- If you want, you can use a barrette of your choosing to secure your half ponytail instead of a hairband.
- Like you might in a ponytail, try wrapping a piece of your hair around the hairband for a more sleek look.
- Pull some shorter strands of hair down around your face to frame it so that the style doesn’t look harsh.
- This is a pretty style that you can wear every day or to events like middle school dances.
6
Wear the trendy half-up bun. This is a stylish, current half-up do that takes only minutes to create. ^{[3]
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Research source} Like the classic messy bun, it works better with hair that hasn’t been washed in a few days or with texturizing spray worked through the hair.
- Section off the top third of your hair above your ears, as though you were going to secure it in a half-up ponytail.
- Instead of securing it, however, grab the end of this section of your hair and begin to twist it into a rope, holding it above your head.
- Take your twisted rope and begin to curl it around itself into a knot, and then secure this knot with a hairband.
- Pull at the hair in your small bun to loosen, and let some strands fall around your face. If you need to, secure it with bobby pins so that it stays just how you like it.
- This is a unique style that you can pull together even if you are rushing to get ready for school on time.
7
Create princess-style half-up braids. For this easy style that looks sweet and romantic, you’ll need small clear hairbands and some bobby pins.
- Take two small sections of hair, one on either side of your face, and braid them tightly. Secure each small braid with a clear band.
- Then, take your two small braids, and wrap them around to the back of your head so they cross. Secure them with bobby pins. Form an “X” with your bobby pins for better hold.
- If you have shorter hair, just secure each braid as far as it reaches.
- This style is pretty for days you feel like dressing up for school or for school dances.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Wearing Your Hair Down

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1
Curl your hair. If you have naturally straight hair, this can be a great way to achieve a soft, romantic wavy look.
- While your curling iron heats up, use a large clip to secure the top layer of your hair on top of your head. Starting at the back of your head, gather a small amount of hair and wrap it around the curling iron. Make sure that the wand is pointed down toward the floor.
- Hold each piece of hair around the curling iron, and then release. After you finish the bottom layer of your hair, simply take out your clip and start curling pieces from the top section of your hair.
- When you curl the pieces of hair near your face, curl them in the opposite direction of your face so that they won’t fall into your eyes. ^{[4]
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- After you’ve finished curling, gently run your fingers through your hair to make it look more natural. Spritz with hairspray to keep it in place. This is a great style for hanging out with you friends on the weekends, and you’re sure to get plenty of compliments.
- If you don’t own a curling wand or are usually rushed before school in the morning but still want wavy hair, use the braid method. When your hair is still damp at night, braid it into as many simple braids as you like. The more you braid, the tighter your waves will be. Sleep on these braids. Take them out in the morning, and run your fingers through your newly wavy hair.
2
Define your natural curls. If you have naturally curly hair, you might simply want to define your curls so that they are sleek and distinct. This is a good every day routine for school.
- When your hair is still damp, comb through it and apply a gel or a mousse. If you have thinner hair opt for a mousse, as it is lighter, but if you have thicker hair, you might want to go for a gel because it offers more hold. ^{[5]
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- Use your fingers to help shape unruly ringlets.
- Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser attachment on your hair dryer. If you use a diffuser, turn your head over, and push the diffuser up against your hair. The diffuser will help define your curls without making them frizzy.
- Consider finishing with a styling spray meant to add shine and tame frizz, or just use a regular lightweight hairspray for a little bit of hold.
3
Straighten your hair. Straight hair can be a nice change, and give you a sleek, polished look. If you have naturally curly hair, this is good way to go for a completely different look, but if you have almost straight hair, it can make you look a little more put together.
- Before you start to use your flat iron, prep your hair. While it’s still damp, apply a heat protectant mousse or spray, and then blow dry your hair. ^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Michael Van den Abbeel
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.} ^{[7]
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- If your flat iron has multiple heat settings, know which you should use based on your hair type: fine hair (250-300 degrees), average hair (300-350 degrees), or thick hair (350-400 degrees). ^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Michael Van den Abbeel
  Professional Hair Stylist
  
  Expert Interview. 7 January 2019.}
- Section your hair with clips or bands, and straighten the bottom layer first. Start about half an inch from your roots, and pull the iron down your hair at an even, slow pace. This is more effective than multiple quick strokes. Leaving a bit of hair unstraightened at your roots will help it to keep some of its volume.
- After you have finished, use a small mirror you can hold to view the back of your head in the mirror on your wall. Make sure you haven’t missed any spots.
- Straightening your hair can be a great way to make a drastic different in your school look.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making Your Hair Cute in a Hurry

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1
Switch up your part. If you want a quick and simple way to change your look, you can simply change the way you part your hair.
- If you normally part your hair to the side, change the side that you part it on, or try a middle part.
- If you have a middle part, try moving it over to one side of your head.
- To change your part, dampen your hair. Use a fine-tooth comb to find your new part, and then comb your hair over to create the part you want.
- If you have a really prominent natural part or a stubborn cow lick, this might not work for you.
2
Add accessories. If you’re rushed before school, adding different accessories can be a great way to make your hair look cute quickly.
- Wearing headbands or head scarfs is a quick way to add some color to your hair and keep it out of your face at the same time. Try wearing headbands with your hair down or in a ponytail.
- Adding bows to your hair is another way to add some pizzazz. Try tying a bow around a simple high ponytail.
3
Use clips. Even if you don’t have time to style your hair, you can use small clips to pull sections of your hair back away from your face.
- They look pretty and are easy to put in and take out.
- You can find clips that are black or brown for a neutral look or get colored or sparkly clips for a more stand-out look.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Styling Short Hair in Cute Ways

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1
Add some texture. Short hair is very fashionable, at the moment. Even if your hair isn’t long enough to pull up, you can still have fun with cute styles.
- Try using hair gel or a texturizing spray in your hair. You can play around with it to get a slightly messy, edgy look. This looks great on both guys with shorter hair and girls with pixie cuts.
- Make sure you only use a small amount of product, as you don’t want your hair to look greasy.
2
Make it sleek. Using a flat iron to straighten shorter hair is an easy way to look pretty and stylish.
- It doesn’t need to be perfect. Just apply a heat protectant serum to your hair and flat iron the pieces that seem out of place or wavy.
- Finish the look of with a spritz of shine enhancer. This will make sure you have pretty hair all throughout the school day.
3
Accessorize your hairstyle. People with shorter hair can also look great quickly with a hair accessory or two.
- Headbands look great with short hair. Try wearing a bold headband with sparkles or a wide one with bright colors. ^{[9]
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- Hats are also a great option for both guys and girls with short hair. Whether it’s a baseball cap or a stylish fedora, hats are great for days when you don’t want to bother with your hair.
4
Soften your part. Parts can make a difference in the look of short hair, too.
- Try combing your hair over into a deep side part, and let your bangs sweep across your face. This will give your short haircut a softer, more romantic look.
- You may have to comb a small amount of styling cream or hair gel through your hair to get your part to stay in place.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I do cute hairstyles for school?

Michael Van den Abbeel
Professional Hair Stylist
Michael Van den Abbeel is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar in Orlando, Florida. He has been cutting, styling, and coloring hair for over 17 years. Michael loves showing his clients how to wash and wear their hair easily and effortlessly. Mosaic Hair Studio and Blowout Bar is recognized as a Diamond Top Tier level Wella salon.

Michael Van den Abbeel

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You can try straightening your hair if you want a different look. You can even use a flat iron to put waves in your hair by pinching a section of hair and twisting it.

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Question

What can I do if an iron gives me brittle hair?

Community Answer

You could try doing braids instead. Put your hair into two braids before you go to bed, and when you wake up, take them out. You will have textured waves, and it can look like you used an iron.

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Question

What if I go to school with a really cute hairstyle, but then later in the day I get bored of it?

Community Answer

You could bring extra hair ties, and go to the bathroom and change your hair. Or, just put your hair back down.

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Video

Warnings

Before you wear a hat or accessories to school, make sure your school dress code allows it.

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Reader Videos

Tips

Messy buns are pretty cute and easy on rushed school days. Just loosen it up to make it look good, if you want.

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Remember that a small amount of hairspray goes a long way.

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Fishtail braids are easy, cute, and good for your hair! A simple fishtail can be formal or casual!

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How to Do Cute Middle School Hairstyles

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Pulling Back Your Hair Into Cute Styles

Wearing Your Hair Down

Making Your Hair Cute in a Hurry

Styling Short Hair in Cute Ways

Expert Q&A

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Warnings

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Tips

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